Mobile terminal with waterproof sheet and manufacturing method

ABSTRACT

A mobile terminal has a waterproof sheet interposed between a first body portion and a second body portion. The waterproof sheet is formed with a curved shaped or step-like cross-section in consideration of characteristic of internal component or a battery arranged on the first body portion of the mobile terminal, the curved shaped or step-like cross-section is configured to encase, in part or in whole, the internal component or the battery.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/719,857, filed on May 22, 2015, which is a Continuation of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 13/427,447, filed on Mar. 22, 2012, (nowissued as a U.S. Pat. No. 9,042,095), and claims priority from and thebenefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2011-0089288, filed on Sep.2, 2011, which are all hereby incorporated by reference for all purposesas if fully set forth herein.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention relate to a mobileterminal with a waterproof sheet and a manufacturing method.

2. Discussion of the Background

Mobile terminals, such as mobile phones, tablet personal computers(PCs), and the like, generally include a number of water-sensitivecomponents. Consequently, a waterproof function is advantageous for themobile terminals.

An O-ring has typically been used as a waterproofing structure formobile terminals.

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a mobile terminal according toa conventional art.

Referring to FIG. 1, the mobile terminal according to the conventionalart includes a front casing 1 to provide a front side of the mobileterminal, a rear casing 2 to provide a rear side of the mobile terminal,and an O-ring 3 interposed between the front casing 1 and the rearcasing 2.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of an O-ring of a mobile terminal accordingto a conventional art.

Referring to FIG. 2, a waterproofing structure for the mobile terminalis configured such that an O-ring 3 surrounds the lateral sides of acasing of the mobile terminal, thereby blocking a gap between the frontcasing 1 and the rear casing 2. Groove 1 a and groove 2 a are arrangedalong the circumference of the front casing 1 and the rear casing 2,respectively, to receive the O-ring 3.

After the O-ring 3 is inserted in the groove 1 a of the front casing 1,the rear casing 2 is connected with the front casing 1. Next, the frontcasing 1 and the rear casing 2 are fastened together, such as by screwsand the like.

Thus, since the O-ring 3 is inserted at a connection position betweenthe front casing 1 and the rear casing 2, the gap between the frontcasing 1 and the rear casing 2 is sealed by the O-ring 3, which maythereby protect internal components of the mobile terminal from water.

According to the conventional waterproofing structure, since a shape ofthe groove 1 a of the front casing 1 may be irregular, the O-ring 3 mayrequire manual connection by an operator. Therefore, a large variationin manufacturing speed may occur as an operator inserts the O-ring 3into the groove 1 a. Accordingly, a manufacturing efficiency and productquality may be decreased.

Furthermore, if the O-ring is distorted by an external shock or damage,a gap may be generated between the front casing 1 and the rear casing 2,thereby reducing the waterproofing efficiency of the O-ring 3. Also, dueto the gap, foreign substances, including liquids and/or particles, maymore easily enter the mobile terminal and may therefore effect theoperation of the mobile terminal.

Moreover, according to the conventional waterproofing structure, theentire thickness of the mobile terminal may be increased due to athickness of the O-ring 3, which is disadvantageous because of theslimming trend for mobile terminals. In addition, the O-ring 3 isexpensive which may increase the manufacturing cost.

According to the conventional waterproofing structure, the waterproofingmay be achieved in such a manner that the front casing 1 and the rearcasing 2 are connected to each other, with the O-ring 3 interposedbetween the front casing 1 and rear casing 2. Therefore, the rear casing2 may need to encase all the internal components of the mobile terminal.However, since the components built in the mobile terminal havedifferent heights, the rear case 2 needs to be formed to cover a heightof the tallest internal components. As a result, a shape and design ofthe rear casing 2 and the front casing 1 are limited. Also, the entirethickness of the mobile terminal maybe increased.

SUMMARY

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention provide a mobile terminalwith a waterproof sheet.

Exemplary embodiments of present invention also provide a method ofmanufacturing a mobile terminal with a waterproof sheet.

Additional features of the invention will be set forth in thedescription which follows, and in part will be apparent from thedescription, or may be learned by practice of the invention.

An exemplary embodiment of the present invention discloses a mobileterminal, including: a first body portion; a waterproof sheet connectedto the first body portion; and a bonding member interposed between thefirst body portion and the waterproof sheet, wherein a component isarranged on the first body portion and the waterproof sheet isconfigured to have a dimension according to at least one of a height, ashape, a function, a material, and an exothermic characteristic of thecomponent.

An exemplary embodiment of the present invention also discloses a methodfor manufacturing a terminal, comprising: connecting a first surface ofa bonding member to a waterproof sheet; connecting a second surface ofthe bonding member to a first body potion; and connecting a second bodyportion to the first body portion with the waterproof sheet interposedtherebetween, wherein a component is arranged on the first body portionand the waterproof sheet is configured to have a dimension according toat least one of a height, a shape, a function, a material, and anexothermic characteristic of the component.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description andthe following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and areintended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed.Other features and aspects will be apparent from the following detaileddescription, the drawings, and the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a furtherunderstanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute apart of this specification, illustrate exemplary embodiments of theinvention, and together with the description serve to explain theprinciples of the invention.

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a mobile terminal according toa conventional art.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of an O-ring of a mobile terminal accordingto a conventional art.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a mobile terminal according to anexemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the mobile terminal of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the mobile terminal of FIG. 3 along a lineA-A.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a waterproof sheet according to anexemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a side view of the waterproof sheet of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view illustrating a mobile terminal according toan exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a method for manufacturing a mobileterminal according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a diagram schematically illustrating a mobile terminalaccording to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11A is a diagram illustrating a flexible printed circuit board of amobile terminal according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 11B is a diagram illustrating a flexible printed circuit board of amobile terminal according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS

Exemplary embodiments are described more fully hereinafter withreference to the accompanying drawings, in which embodiments of theinvention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in manydifferent forms and should not be construed as limited to theembodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided sothat this disclosure is thorough, and will fully convey the scope of theinvention to those skilled in the art. In the drawings, the size andrelative sizes of layers and regions may be exaggerated for clarity Likereference numerals in the drawings denote like elements.

It will be understood that when an element or layer is referred to asbeing “on” or “connected to” another element or layer, it can bedirectly on or directly connected to the other element or layer,including but not limited to using mechanical fasteners or adhesives orwithout using adhesives or fasteners, or intervening elements or layersmay be present. In contrast, when an element or layer is referred to asbeing “directly on” or “directly connected to” another element or layer,there are no intervening elements or layers present. It will beunderstood that for the purposes of this disclosure, “at least one of X,Y, and Z” can be construed as X only, Y only, Z only, or any combinationof two or more items X, Y, and Z (e.g., XYZ, XYY, YZ, ZZ). As used inthis disclosure, “waterproof” may refer to water resistance, orproviding resistance to damage caused by incidental water contact, orwaterproofing according to an industry or commercial standard.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a mobile terminal according to anexemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is an explodedperspective view of the mobile terminal of FIG. 3.

Referring to FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, a mobile terminal 5 includes a firstbody portion 10, a bonding member 20, a waterproof sheet 30, and asecond body portion 40. The first body portion 10 and the second bodyportion 40 may be connected to each other, thereby constructing a casingof the mobile terminal 5. A third body portion 50 may be connected to arear side of the second body portion 40.

The first body portion 10 may be one external side of the mobileterminal 5. For example, the first body portion 10 may provide a frontside of the mobile terminal 5. The first body portion 10 may also bereferred to as a front casing.

The first body portion 10 may have any one of various shapes, forexample, a rectangular shape. A printed circuit board (PCB) 60 and abattery 15 may be arranged on the first body portion 10. The PCB 60 maybe arranged to receive various components.

The first body portion 10 may include components having differentheights. The components may include the PCB 60, the components arrangedon the PCB 60, and other components not arranged on the PCB 60. Thecomponents and the battery 15 may have different heights.

The first body portion 10 includes a bonding member connection portion11 arranged on a circumference of the first body portion 10 to connectwith or receive the bonding member 20. However, the bonding memberconnection portion 11 may be arranged on another portion of the firstbody portion 10. The bonding member connection portion 11 may bearranged on a rear surface of the first body portion 10 and furtherarranged on a circumference of the first body portion 10, an innersurface of the circumference of the first body portion 10, and an outersurface of the circumference of the first body portion 10.

The bonding member connection portion 11 may have a substantially flatshape, or a curved shape that may include at least one step-likestructure arranged along the circumference of the first body portion 10.

The waterproof sheet 30 may be connected to or contacted with the firstbody portion 10 by the bonding member 20, thereby encasing thecomponents. Bonding member 20 may include one or more hole bondingportions 21 to facilitate connection to the first body portion 10 asdescribed in more detail below.

The second body portion 40 may be connected to the first body portion10. The second body portion 40 may be a visible external body of themobile terminal 5.

The waterproof sheet 30 and the second body portion 40 will be describedin further detail hereinafter.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the mobile terminal of FIG. 3 along a lineA-A.

Referring to FIG. 5, the bonding member 20 is arranged between the firstbody portion 10 and the waterproof sheet 30. The bonding member 20 isconnected to the waterproof sheet 30 and then connected to the firstbody portion 10. The bonding member 20 may also be connected to thecircumference of the first body portion 10 and then connected to thewaterproof sheet 30.

The bonding member 20 may be a double-sided tape, an adhesive, etc. Thebonding member 20 may be in the form of a thin band which encloses thefirst body portion 10.

One surface of the bonding member 20 may be connected to the first bodyportion 10 while the other surface of the bonding member 20 may beconnected to the waterproof sheet 30.

Referring again to FIG. 4, the bonding member 20 may include a holebonding portion 21 connected to a fastening member hole 32 arranged onthe waterproof sheet 30. The fastening member hole 32 will be describedhereinafter. The hole bonding portion 21 may be configured to surroundthe fastening member hole 32. The hole bonding portion 21 may have ahole-like shape and may be configured to allow a fastening member S topass there through.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a waterproof sheet according to anexemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a side view ofthe waterproof sheet of FIG. 6.

Referring to FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, the waterproof sheet 30 may be connectedto the first body portion 10 by the bonding member 20. The waterproofsheet 30 may partially or entirely encase the components arranged on thefirst body portion 10 along with the first body portion 10 andaccordingly may protect the components from water damage.

If the battery 15 is a built-in type battery, which may be built-in tothe casing of the mobile terminal 5, the waterproof sheet 30 may beconnected to the first body portion 10 with the battery 15 interposedbetween the waterproof sheet 30 and the first body portion 10. If thebattery 15 is a detachable type battery, as shown in FIG. 10, thewaterproof sheet 30 may be connected to the first body portion 10 suchthat it does not encase the battery 15.

The waterproof sheet 30 and the first body portion 10 may form a spaceinterposed therebetween so that the components may be arranged in thespace. The waterproof sheet 30 may be formed in a curved shape inconsideration of shapes, heights, functions, materials, exothermiccharacteristics, and the like of components arranged on the first bodyportion 10. According to the shapes, heights, functions, materials, andexothermic characteristics of components, the waterproof sheet 30 maycontact, be connected to, or be arranged proximately to, or separatedfrom some of the components arranged on the first body portion 10.

The bonding member 20 may be interposed between a circumference of thewaterproof sheet 30 and the first body portion 10.

Although the waterproof sheet 30 is described as connect to the rearsurface of the circumference of the first body portion 10, the exemplaryembodiments are not limited thereto. The waterproof sheet 30 may beconnected to an outer surface of the first body portion 10 to encase thecircumference of the first body portion 10, or to the inner surface ofthe circumference of the first body portion 10.

The waterproof sheet 30 may contact, be connect to, or be arrangedproximately to the first body portion 10 and the bonding member 20, andmay thereby hermetically seal the components arranged on the first bodyportion 10 from water entry.

The waterproof sheet 30 may have a curved shape corresponding to theshape of the components arranged on the first body portion 10 or thebattery 15 arranged on the first body portion 10.

For example, the waterproof sheet 30 may extend to encase a relativelytall component arranged on the first body portion 10 or may depressinward to enclose a relatively short component arranged on the firstbody portion 10.

The waterproof sheet 30 may directly contact, be directly connect to, orseparated from a component arranged on the first body portion 10,according to the shape, height, function, material, exothermiccharacteristics, and the like of the component arranged on the firstbody portion 10.

Whether a space is provided between the waterproof sheet 30 and thecomponent arranged on the first body portion 10 may depend upon afunction of the component. For example, a speaker may have a referencespace for resonance, and the waterproof sheet 30 may form a space to beseparated from the speaker rather than directly connected to orcontacting the speaker. The waterproof sheet 30 may protrude at aposition corresponding to the speaker so as to form the space. Asanother example, some components such as a subscriber identity module(SIM) port, a memory card port, and a universal serial bus (USB) portmay be moved according to a card insertion operation. The waterproofsheet 30 may form a reference space to allow movement of thesecomponents.

Power-related components such as a power management integrated circuit(PMIC) may be separated by a space from the waterproof sheet 30 due toan exothermic characteristic of the components. The components such asthe PMIC generate heat and the waterproof sheet 30 may be separated fromthe PMIC to permit heat radiation, rather than being directly in contactwith or directly connected thereto. Therefore, the waterproof sheet 30may be separated by a reference distance from the PMIC, for example, byprotruding at a corresponding position.

Whether a space is provided between the waterproof sheet 30 and thecomponent arranged on the first body portion 10 may depend upon thematerial of the component arranged on the first body portion 10. Forexample, ceramic based components may be sensitive to external shock andthe waterproof sheet 30 may be separated from the ceramic basedcomponent arranged on the first body portion 10 to form a spacetherebetween.

The waterproof sheet 30 may have a step-like structure corresponding tothe shape of the components arranged on the first body portion 10 or thebattery 15. The waterproof sheet 30 may protrude from a first height ata position enclosing a relatively tall component and may be depressedfrom the first height at a position enclosing a relatively shortcomponent. The step-like structure may have a right angle. However, thewaterproof sheet 30 may also have a smooth curve between differingheights at the protruding or depressed portion.

The waterproof sheet 30 may be configured such that a cross section maybe curved according to protruding heights, shapes, functions, materials,and exothermic characteristics of the respective components arranged onthe first body portion 10. Therefore, a vertical cross section of thewaterproof sheet 30 may be extended horizontally, bent vertically upwardat a position corresponding to a protruding component, extendedhorizontally to cover the protruding component, bent vertically downwardafter the protruding component, and then extended horizontally again.

Referring to the bottom portion of FIG. 6, the waterproof sheet 30 mayinclude a protruding portion 34 to cover the protruding component and adepressed portion 35 to contact, connect to, or be arranged proximatelyto a relatively short component. The protruded portion 34 includes avertical rising portion 341 and a horizontal portion 342. The depressedportion 35 includes a vertical falling portion 351 and a horizontalportion 352.

The waterproof sheet 30 may include a step portion to cover theprotruding component.

The waterproof sheet 30 may be manufactured into a reference shape byvacuum forming or pressing, etc.

Referring again to FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, a circumference of the waterproofsheet 30 may include the bonding member connection portion 31 to connectto the bonding member 20. The bonding member connection portion 31 maybe arranged on other locations of the waterproof sheet 30. The bondingmember connection portion 31 may have a step-like structure.

Referring to FIG. 4, the circumference of the waterproof sheet 30 mayhave a shape corresponding to the circumference of the first bodyportion 10. The circumference of the first body portion 10 may have acurved shape with a varied height. The waterproof sheet 30 may have arelatively tall portion and a relatively short portion corresponding tothe curved shape of the circumference of the first body portion 10.

The circumference of the waterproof sheet 30 may be connected to aninner surface of the circumference of the first body portion 10 orconnected to the outer surface of the circumference of the first bodyportion 10. The circumference of the waterproof sheet 30 may be shapedto correspond to the circumference of the first body portion 10.

The bonding member connection portion 31 may have a flat shape without astep-like structure according to the shape of the first body portion 10.In FIG. 7, the bonding member connection portion 31 includes a step-likestructure which includes step portion 31 a and a non-step portion 31 b.The step portion 31 a may be relatively short in comparison with theother portion of the waterproof sheet 30. The non-step portion 31 b mayhave substantially the same height as the other portions of thewaterproof sheet 30.

Since the circumference of the waterproof sheet 30 may be shaped tocorrespond to the first body portion 10 and the components arrangedthereon, whether the bonding member connection portion 31 includes thestep-like structure may be determined by the shape of the first bodyportion 10 and its components.

The waterproof sheet 30 may be configured to correspond to a size of oneor more of the components arranged on the first body portion 10 or maybe configured to encase all of the component arranged on the first bodyportion 10. For example, the waterproof sheet 30 may be connected to thePCB 60. The waterproof sheet 30 may be connected to the circumference ofthe first body portion 10 and may encase all components arranged on thefirst body portion 10. The waterproof sheet 30 may be connected to thePCB 60 by the bonding member 20. The waterproof sheet 30 may encase eachcomponent arranged on the first body portion 10 individually.

The waterproof sheet 30 may be made of a plastic material such aspolycarbonate plastic, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and the likeand may provide waterproofing to the mobile terminal 5. The waterproofsheet 30 may be made of a heat radiating material and may discharge heatgenerated from the components arranged on the first body portion 10. Anymaterial generally known to radiate heat and that may be shapedappropriately and possessing a threshold level of water resistance maybe used for the heat radiation sheet.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view illustrating a mobile terminal according toan exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 8, the waterproof sheet 30 may encase in part or inwhole the components arranged on the first body portion 10 and/or thebattery 15. The waterproof sheet 30 may contact or be connected to someof the components arranged on the first body portion 10 while beingseparated from other components arranged on the first body portion 10.

Examples of components contacting or connected to the waterproof sheet30 will be described hereafter. The waterproof sheet 30 may contact orbe connected to a component arranged on the first body portion 10 thatmay fall off or detach during use, such as various connectors, includinga flexible PCB (FPCB) connector and a battery connector, a componentarranged on the first body portion 10 that is connected to thewaterproof sheet 30 to transmit vibrations such as a motor, and acomponent arranged on the first body portion 10 that may be damaged byentry of a foreign substances or moisture during use such as a camera,complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) sensor chip, and a liquidcrystal display (LCD).

Referring again to FIG. 4, the waterproof sheet 30 may include a camerahole 33 arranged on a position corresponding to a camera lens. A windowmay be connected to the camera hole 33. A circumference of the windowmay be connected to the waterproof sheet by a double-sided tape or anadhesive, the double-sided tape or adhesive may prevent water fromentering through the camera hole 33.

Some of the components arranged on the first body portion may moveaccording to a card insertion operation, such as the SIM port, thememory card port, and the USB port. Components capable of movement maybe separated from the waterproof sheet 30 due to their functions. Thepower-related components arranged on the first body portion, such as thePMIC, may be separated from the waterproof sheet 30 due to an exothermiccharacteristic of the components. Ceramic components arranged on thefirst body portion may be separated from the waterproof sheet 30 due totheir material.

Referring again to FIG. 4 and FIG. 6A, the waterproof sheet 30 mayinclude a fastening member hole 32 configured to allow for passage ofthe fastening member S to fasten the first body portion 10 and thesecond body portion 40 together. The fastening member may be a screw, abolt, or other mechanical fastener.

The bonding member 20 may be connected around the fastening member hole32.

Referring to FIG. 4, as the fastening member hole 32 contacts or isconnected to the first body portion 10, in particular with a connectionportion of the fastening member S, by using the hole bonding portion 21of the bonding member 20 the generation of a gap between the waterprooflayer and the first body portion may be prevented, accordingly providingthe waterproof function of the waterproof sheet. Although the fasteningmember hole 32 is depicted at a position corresponding to thecircumference of the first body portion 10, the fastening member hole 32may be arranged at other positions.

Entry of water through the fastening member hole 32 may be reduced byarranging the bonding member 31 to surround the fastening member hole32.

Referring again to FIG. 8, the second body portion 40 may be connectedto the first body portion 10 with the waterproof sheet 30 interposedbetween the first body portion 10 and the second body portion 40. Thesecond body portion 40 may be connected to the first body portion 10 bya fastening member such as a screw and the like. The second body portion40 may be connected to the first body portion 10 by a protrusion and thelike.

The second body portion 40 may include an opening 41 arranged at aposition corresponding to a tallest component 51 arranged on the firstbody portion 10. For example, a battery may be exposed through theopening 41. The tallest component 51 may be exposed outside of thesecond body portion 40 or the third body portion 50 through the opening41. The exposed component 51 may be encased by the waterproof sheet 30.Therefore, the waterproof sheet 30 may be partially exposed outside thesecond body portion 40 or the third body portion 50 through opening 41.

The bonding member 20 may be interposed between the opening 41 and thecomponent 51 to achieve a waterproofing function.

The opening 41 may be provided in the second body portion 40 since thewaterproof sheet 30 encases the component 51 arranged on the first bodyportion 10.

Thus, the entire thickness of the casing may not be increased due to theheight of the tallest component 51, simply by forming the opening 41 atthe position corresponding to the tallest component 51. As a result, thethickness of the mobile terminal may be reduced. Additionally, this mayallow for greater flexibility in the design of the mobile terminal 5.The third body portion 50 may be further provided to cover the secondbody portion 40. The third body portion 50 may cover an entire area ofthe second body portion 40 or may cover the opening 41. If the thirdbody portion 50 covers the entire area of the second body portion 40,the fastening member may not be visible.

If the third body portion 50 covers the opening 41, the exposed portionof the second body portion 40 may be thinner.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a method for manufacturing a mobileterminal according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.The method for manufacturing the mobile terminal will be described as ifmanufacturing the mobile terminal 5 shown in FIG. 4, but is not limitedas such.

Referring to FIG. 9, in operation 10, a waterproof sheet 30 is formedinto a 3-dimensional (3D) shape corresponding to a shape of componentsor a battery arranged on a casing of the mobile terminal 5. Thecomponents arranged on the casing may have various heights and thewaterproof sheet 30 may contact, or be connected to, or separated fromthe components according to heights, functions, materials, exothermiccharacteristics and the like of the components arranged on the casing.The waterproof sheet 30 may be formed into a curved shape inconsideration of at least one of the heights, functions, materials, andexothermic characteristics. A vertical cross section of the waterproofsheet 30 encasing a component arranged on the casing may appear toextended horizontally and then extended vertically upward at a positioncorresponding to a component and then extended horizontally again toencase the component and then extended vertically downward after thecomponent, and finally extended horizontally again.

The waterproof sheet 30 may be manufactured into a reference shape byvacuum forming, pressing, etc.

In operation 11, one surface of a bonding member 20 may be connected tothe waterproof sheet 30. The bonding member 20 may be a double-sidedtape. However, one surface of the bonding member 20 may alternatively beconnected to a first body portion 10 initially. The bonding member 20may be connected to the first body portion 10 along a circumference ofthe first body portion 10.

In operation 12, the waterproof sheet 30 is connected to the first bodyportion 10 by connecting the other adhesive surface of the bondingmember 20 to the first body portion 10. The waterproof sheet 30 may beconnected to the first body portion 10 with the bonding member 20interposed therebetween, thereby covering at least one of the componentsor the battery arranged on the first body portion 10. If one surface ofthe bonding member 20 was initially connected to the first body portion10, the waterproof sheet 30 may be connected to the other adhesivesurface of the bonding member 20.

In operation 13, the second body portion 40 is connected to the firstbody portion 10 with the waterproof sheet 30 interposed therebetween.The second body portion 40 may be connected to the first body portion 10by a fastening member S. The fastening member may pass through thewaterproof sheet 30.

The waterproof sheet may be connected to the casing by attaching abonding member to the waterproof sheet. Therefore, automated assembly ofthe mobile terminal 5 may be possible.

Also, the waterproof sheet 30 and the bonding member 20 may be thinnerthan a conventional O-ring, and the thickness of the casing may bereduced.

Although exemplary embodiments have been described with reference to amobile terminal, the present invention is not limited thereto. Thepresent invention may be applicable to other electronic appliances whichmay include a waterproof function, such as a laptop computer, akeyboard, a monitor, a TV, and other display devices.

FIG. 10 is a diagram schematically illustrating a mobile terminalaccording to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 10, a mobile terminal 100 may include a body portion110, a waterproof sheet 120 connected to the body portion 110, a battery130, and a battery cover 140.

Various components may be arranged on the body portion 110. Thewaterproof sheet 120 is connected to the body portion 110 by a bondingmember or the like, thereby achieving a waterproof function. Thewaterproof sheet 120 does not encase the battery 130 since the battery130 is not built into the body portion 110 along with other componentsbut is selectively detached as necessary, for example for recharging orreplacement.

The body portion 110 may include a terminal portion 111 to electricallyconnect with the battery 130. The terminal 111 may be arranged on anoutside of the waterproof sheet 120 like the battery 130 and thereforemay be exposed outside from of the waterproof sheet 120.

The battery cover 140 may be connected to an outside of the body portion110 to selectively cover the battery 130.

FIG. 10 differs from FIG. 3 in that the waterproof sheet does not coverthe battery based on a design choice to use a detachable type battery.

The battery may be separately protected from water. The terminal portion111 may be partially protected from water by an O-ring or a waterproofsheet connected with a bonding member. Accordingly, if the battery is adetachable-type battery internal components of the mobile terminal 100and the battery may be protected from water.

FIG. 11A is a diagram illustrating a flexible printed circuit board of amobile terminal according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention. FIG. 11B is a diagram illustrating a flexible printed circuitboard of a mobile terminal according to an exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention.

Referring to FIG. 11A and FIG. 11B, the mobile terminal may include aFPCB 220. The FPCB 220 may pass through a waterproof sheet 240 andextend to an outside of a body portion 210 for data transmission. Thatis, the FPCB 220 may be arranged between the body portion 210 and thewaterproof sheet 240.

A bonding member 230 may be connected to the FPCB 220 to block gapsbetween the FPCB 220 and holes or recesses of the body portion 210. Thebonding member 230 may be connected to surround a circumference of theFPCB 220.

The bonding member 230 may connected around the FPCB 220, the bodyportion 210, the FPCB 220, and the waterproof sheet 240 as shown in FIG.11A and FIG. 11B.

Unlike in FIG. 11A, FIG. 11B includes two layers of bonding member 230connected to the FPCB 220. A first bonding member 231 is connected tothe body portion 210 to which the FPCB 220 is connected. A secondbonding member 232 is connected to the first bonding member 231 and theFPCB 220. Conversely, in FIG. 11A, the bonding member 230 includes afirst layer that is localized between FPCB 220 and body portion 210, sothat there is a single layer of the bonding member 230 betweenwaterproof sheet 240 and body portion 210.

According to embodiments of the present invention, a bonding member isconnected to a waterproof sheet so that the waterproof sheet may beconnected to a casing of a mobile terminal. This may eliminate the needfor manual connection of the waterproof sheet to the casing and mayincrease a manufacturing efficiency.

In addition, according to embodiments of the present invention, sincethe waterproof sheet and the bonding member have a relatively smallthickness, the entire thickness of the casing may be reduced whencompared to the conventional art using an O-ring.

In addition, according to embodiments of the present invention,manufacturing cost may be reduced by employing the waterproof sheetbecause the waterproof sheet may be less expensive than the O-ring.

In addition, according to embodiments of the present invention, a methodof attaching a sheet to a surface is described which may protect amobile terminal from the entrance of foreign substances.

In addition, according to embodiments of the present invention, awaterproofing function may not be reduced by an external shock deforminga casing of a mobile terminal.

In addition, according to embodiments of the present invention, anopening may be arranged on a rear casing of a mobile terminal at aposition corresponding to the tallest internal component. This may allowfor greater flexibility in designing a shape of the rear casing.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that variousmodifications and variation can be made in the present invention withoutdeparting from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, it isintended that the present invention cover the modifications andvariations of this invention provided they come within the scope of theappended claims and their equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A terminal, comprising: a first body portion; awaterproof member connected to the first body portion; a first componentarranged on the first body portion; and a second component arranged onthe first body portion, wherein a first portion of the waterproof membercovers the first component and a second portion of the waterproof membercovers the second component, and wherein the first portion of thewaterproof member is configured to be protruding or depressed withrespect to the second portion of the waterproof member.
 2. The terminalof claim 1, further comprising: a second body portion connected to thefirst body portion with the waterproof member interposed therebetween.3. The terminal of claim 2, further comprising: a third body portionconnected to the first body portion or the second body portion.
 4. Theterminal of claim 3, further comprising: a battery arranged in a spacebetween the second body portion and the third body portion.
 5. Theterminal of claim 1, further comprising: a battery arranged in a spacebetween the waterproof member and the first body portion.
 6. Theterminal of claim 1, further comprising: a bonding member interposedbetween the first body portion and the waterproof member.
 7. Theterminal of claim 6, wherein the waterproof member comprises a fasteningmember hole, and the bonding member comprises a hole bonding portionconfigured to surround the fastening member hole.
 8. The terminal ofclaim 1, wherein the waterproof member has a substantially step-likecross-section.
 9. The terminal of claim 1, wherein the waterproof memberhas a substantially curved cross-section.
 10. The terminal of claim 1,wherein the first component and the second component are arranged toprotrude from the first body portion.
 11. The terminal of claim 2,wherein the waterproof member is arranged between the second bodyportion and the components.
 12. The terminal of claim 1, wherein thefirst portion or the second portion of the waterproof member isconfigured to be protruding or depressed over the first component or thesecond component according to at least one of a height, a shape, afunction, a material, and an exothermic characteristic of the firstcomponent or second component, respectively.
 13. The terminal of claim1, wherein the waterproof member is configured to have a dimensionaccording to at least one of a height, a shape, a function, a material,and an exothermic characteristic of the first component and the secondcomponent.
 14. A method for manufacturing a terminal, comprising:disposing a first component and a second component on a first bodyportion; connecting a waterproof member to the first body portion; andconnecting a second body portion to the first body portion with thewaterproof member interposed therebetween, wherein a first portion ofthe waterproof member covers the first component and a second portion ofthe waterproof member covers the second component, and wherein the firstportion of the waterproof member is configured to be protruding ordepressed with respect to the second portion of the waterproof member.15. The method of claim 14, further comprising: connecting a firstsurface of a bonding member to the waterproof member; and connecting asecond surface of the bonding member to the first body potion.
 16. Themethod of claim 15, wherein the waterproof member comprises a fasteningmember hole, and the bonding member comprises a hole bonding portionconfigured to surround the fastening member hole.
 17. The method ofclaim 14, wherein the first portion or the second portion of thewaterproof member is configured to be protruding or depressed over thefirst component or the second component according to at least one of aheight, a shape, a function, a material, and an exothermiccharacteristic of the first component or second component, respectively.18. A terminal, comprising: a first body portion; a waterproof memberconnected to the first body portion; and a component disposed betweenthe first body portion and the waterproof member, wherein a portion ofthe waterproof member is configured to be protruding or depressed overthe component, and wherein a battery of the terminal is arranged in aspace between the waterproof member and the first body portion.
 19. Theterminal of claim 18, wherein a surface portion of the waterproof memberis configured to have a dimension according to at least one of a height,a shape, a function, a material, and an exothermic characteristic of thecomponent.
 20. The terminal of claim 18, wherein the portion of thewaterproof member is configured to be protruding or depressed over thecomponent according to at least one of a height, a shape, a function, amaterial, and an exothermic characteristic of the component